he spoke after world aids day, observed each year on december 1st. the president was joined by secretary of state john kerry and health and human services secretary kathleen sebelius. the event was 40 minutes. [applause] >> hello. [applause] thank you, thank you, thank you, everybody, please, have a seat, well, thank you, grant, for your outstanding leadership of the office of national aids policy and thanks to all of you for being here. this is a pretty distinguished crowd, i have to say. it is wonderful to be here. i should say, actually, welcome back, because many 6 you joined us before as we mark new milestones in the fight against hiv and aids, and i'm honored that you could join us in commemorating world aids day, which was yesterday. this is a time for remembering the friends and loved ones that we lost, celebrating the extraordinary progress, thanks to people in the room that we've been able to make, and most importantly, recommitting ourselves to the mission that we share, which is achieving an aids-free generation. i epsz want to welcome mi